Ignition device



Nov. 6, 1923. 1.;473585 H. R. PATTERSON IGNITION DEVICE FOR AUTOMOBILES Original Filed July 9, 1917 Patented Nov. 6, 192 3.

umrsn STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY B. PATTERSON, OI TOLEDO, OHIO.

remronnsvrcn ron AUTOIOBILIS.

Application filed July e, 1011, Serial Io.- 11am. aemm s in s, me.

To all whom it may concern:

Be itknown that I, HAmu-R. Pamssox, a citizen of the United States, residing at Toledo, in the county of Lucas and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in I 'tion Devices for Automobiles, of which declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to improvements in ignition devices for internal combustion engines, and particularly to an improved condenser -arrangement for use in the'igniti on circuit and improved connections between the condenser and the ignition circuit,

It is well known that it is highly desirable to connect a condenser in the primary ignition circuit, one of the objects of connecting a condenser in'said circuit being to prevent sparking of the interrupter con tacts Whena m'ngle condenser is thus connected in the circuit it is usually designed to have a capacity best suited to the average engine speed, or rather to the average frequency of circuit interruption. However, the desirable capacity of the condenser varice with the engine speed, so that, when the engine speed is high or, rather, the interval cuit-to a condenser of smaller capacity when operating the engine at high speed and a condenser of larger capacity when operating at' low speed.

' Further objects of this invention relate to economies of manufacture and details of construction as will hereinafter appear from the detailed description to follow. I accomplish the objects of my invention in one instance by the devices and means in the following in, but it is evident that the same may he'vaned widely withoutdeparting from the scope of the in-' ventionas pointed out in the appended claims.- Astrfiareconshtatmgqneembod 'imentcf my ia'vmtien, which may be the circuit, said means being controllable by the.

preferred, is illustrated in the accompanylnlg grawings forming a part thereof, in w 10 Figure I is a view in side elevation of a I structure embodying my invention.

Figure II isa top plan view of the structure shown in Figure I, with thedistributor cap removed.

Figure III is a vertical sectional view, taken substantially on the line III-III of Figure II.

Figure IV is an enlarged, detail, fragmentary, sectional view, taken substantially on the line IVIV of Figure II, and

Figure V is a wiring diagram.

In the drawings, similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views, and the sectional views are taken looking in the direction of the arrows at the ends of the section lines.

Considering the numbered parts of the drawing, I have shown an ignition device comprising the casing 10, having the removv able distributor cap 11 carrying the central contact 12 and the contacts 13 near the edge. In the casing there is formed an interrupter chamber 14, and a condenser chamber 15. The shaft 16 is journaled in the casing 10 and carries the cam 17, which is adjustable relativeto said shaft, and has a cylindrical stem 18 on which the distributor arm 19 is removably mounted, said distributor arm being adapted to successively sweep pastthe contacts 13 as the shaft 16 revolves.

- The interrupter plate 20 is rotatably mounted in the bottom of the interrupter chamber 14, being journaled on a hos 21 formed in the bottom of said casing, and said interru r plate 20 carries the pin 22 on which t interrupter lever 28 is fillcrumed. 'Slld. interrnpter .lever carries a contact 24, which is a apted to enact with the fixed contact 25, carried by the bracket 28, which is secured to the interrupter late 20, but insulated therefrom}: means 0 the insulating material 29. 'Ihe racket 28, and

c uently the fixed contact 25, is conn m in the primary ignition circuit by means of thelead wire26 connected to the terminal 30, said terminal extendin through a slot 27 formed in the o the easing, so that it may move with the interrupter plate relative tothe casing. Said terminal has an'upwardly extending v through which a connection is made, between the condenser and the primary ignition circuit.

Suitable movement is imparted to the interrupter plate 20 within the casing by means of the lever 32, which is fulcrumed on the pin 33, carried by the casing 10, and which lever carr ies a pin 34 extending through a suitable slot in the bottom. of the casing and engaging the interrupter plate 20. A limited relative movement thus given to the plate 20 advances or retards the spark by moving the interrupter lever relative to the cam 17, in a manner which is well understood in the art.

In the condenser chamber 15, I provide a two-part condenser 35. Each part of said condenser is provided with a separate terminal, 36 and 37, through which they are connected with the primary ignition circuit. An arm 38 extends from the terminal 36 through a notch in the edge of the partition wall separating the condenser chamber from the interrupter chamber, and a similar arm 40 is connected with the terminal 37 and extends through said notch, said arms being supported from the side of the casing 10 by the screw 41, but insulated therefrom and from each other by means of the block 39 of insulating material. The arm 38 has connected thereto the long arm 42, as shown in Figure IV of the drawing, and the arm 40 has connected thereto the short arm 43, both of these arms and their relative position being illustrated in Figure IV. It will be seen that, as the interrupter plate 20 is moved to advance or retard the spark, the stem 31 which is ada ted to contact with the arms 42 and 43 wil be moved relative to them, so that, in one position, it will contact with both the arm 42 and the arm 43, while, in another position it will contact only with the arm 42.

According to the wiring diagram illustrated by Fig. V, the primary circuit may include a battery 46 in series with the pnmary winding 44 of the induction coil and the stationary and movable contacts 25 and 24 of the interrupter the two ends of the circuit being grounded secondary winding may be connected at one end to the. primary and have its opposite end connected with the central contact 12 of the distributor, the contacts 13 of which connect with the spark plugs and thence with the.

ground 50. The two-part or variable condenser 35, having one side grounded as at 48, has its two parts connected by the terminals 36 and 37 and by the arms 42 and 43 to the rimary circuit, the connection bein by the stem 31 to include one or hot parts of'the condenser in accordance with the position of the interrupter plate.

From the description of the parts 'ven above, the operation of my device should be very readily understood. When the as at 45 and 47. The

is operating at low 5 and the spark is conse uently retard the interrupter plate 20 will be in such a position that the stem 31 of the contact 30 will engage both the arms 42 and 43, so that both parts of the condenser 35 are connected to the rimary circuit. As the interrupter plate 20 rs rotated by means of the lever 32 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fi II, so as to move the interrupter lever re ative to the cam and advance the spark, the terminal 30 carrying the stem 31 will move with the plate relative to the arms 42 and 43,- until it breaks connection with the short arm 43 thereb cutting out that part of the condenser w ich is connected thereto. As a result, .it will be seen that, when the engine speed is low, and a high capacity condenser is desirable, both parts of t e condenser are connected in the i ition circuit, so as to best meet the conditions prevailing at that time. However. as the spark is advanced and the engine 5 d is increased, a part of the condenser wi I automatically be cut out of the circuit, so that, when the engine speed is high, the ca acity of the condenser will be lowenand t e conditions maintaining at that time will be best met.

I am aware that the particular embodiment of my invention here shown and described is capable of consithrable variation, without departing from the spirit of my invention, but I have found thatthis particular embodiment is desirable from many standpoints, and, therefore, I desire to claim the same specifically as well as broadly, as

' indicated by the appended claims.

lever mounted on said plate; an interrupter cam adapted to vibrate said lever; means for rotating said late to advance and retard the spark, sai interrupter lever ca a contact adapted to coact with said zi contact to open and close the primary ignition circuit; a plurality of condensers carried in said condenser chamber; a contact :rm connecbtsd'to Fach condelnser,hsaid conct arms rng o varyi e and insulated from each other i and i terminal carried by said interrupter plate and electrically connecting and bracket with a source of current, and having an upwardly extending stem adapted to engage one or more of and contact arms according to the position of said plate.

2. In a device of he clue de cribed, the

combination of a casing, having an interrupter chamber, and a condenser chamber; an interrupter plate rotatably mounted in said interrupter chamber; a bracket mounted on said plate, a but insulated therefrom; a fixed contact carried by said bracket; a vibratory interrupter lever mounted on laid plate and carrying a contact adapted to coact with said fixed contact; means for vibrating said lever; means for rotating said plate to advance and retard the spark; a plurality of condensers carried in said condenser chamber; a contact arm connected to each condenser, said contact arm being of varying length and insulated from each other; and means, carried by said interrupter plate; electrically connecting said fixed contact with a source of current, and comprising an upwardly extending stem adapted to engage one or more of said contact arms according to the position of said plate, so as to connect one or more of said condensers in said primary ignition circuit.

3. In a device of the class described, the combination of a casing having an interrupter chamber and a condenser chamber; and an interrupter platerotatably mounted in said interrupter chamber; interrupter mechanism carried by said plate; means for moving said plate to advance and retard the spark; a plurality of condensers carried in said condenser chamber; a contact arm connected to each condenser, said contact arms being of varying length; and a terminal carried by said interrupter plate electrically connecting said interrupter mechanism with a source of current, and having an upwardly extending stem, adapted to engage one or more of said contact arms according to the position of said late.

4. In a device of the class escribed, the combination of a casing,'having an interrupter chamber and a condenser chamber; a plate movable in said interrupter chamber; interrupter mechanism disposed in said chamber; means for moving said plate to advance or retard the spark; a plurality stem adapted to engage of condensers carried in said condenser chamber; a contact arm connected to each condenser, said contact arms being of varying length; and a'terminal movable with said plate and electrically connecting said interrupter. mechanism with a source of current, and having an upwardly extendi one or more of sai contact arms, according to the position of said stem.

5. In a device of the class described, the combination of a casing, having an interrupter and a condenser chamber; an interrupter plate rotatably mounted in said interrupter chamber; a bracket mounted on said plate, but insulated therefrom; a fixed contact carried by said bracket; an interrupter lever mounted on saidplate; an interrupter cam adapted to vibrate said lever;

and electrically connecting said bracket with a source of current, and adapted to electrically connect one or more of said contact arms with said source of current, according to the position of said plate.

6. In a device of the class described, the combination of a casing, having an interrupter chamber and a condenser chamber; an interrupter plate rotatablymounted in said interrupter chamber; a bracket mounted on said plate, but insulated therefrom; a fixed contact carried by said bracket; an interrupter lever mounted on said plate; an interrupter cam adapted to vibrate said lever; means for rotating said plate to advance'or retard the spark; a plurality of condensers carried in said condenser chamber; and means movable with said interrupter plate, and electrically connecting said bracket with a source of current, and adapted to connect one or more of said condensers with said source of current, according to the position of said plate, I

In a device of the class described, the combination of interrupter mechanism;

timer'means movable to time the spark; a"

plurality of condensers; a contact arm connected to each condenser, said contact arms being of v ing lengths; and a terminal, carried by connecting said interrupter mechanism with a source of current, and'adapted to connect one or more of said contact arms with said source of current, according to the position of said timer means.

8. In a device of the class described, the combination of an interrupter mechanism; timer means movable to time the spark; a plurality of condensers; and means electriid time:- means, electrically cally connecting said interrupter mecha-,

nism with a source of current and'adapted to connect one or more of said condensers with said source'of current, according to the position of said timer means.

' 9. In a device of the class described, the combination of a primary ignition circuit, comprising a source of current, a primary induction coil winding, an interrupter mechanism, and timer means for timing the make and break of said circuit, a condenser of variable capacity connected to said circuit, means connected with said timer means for varying the capac and a secondary circuit comprising a 886+- ondary induction coil winding, and distributor mechanism connected in said ary circuit. v

ity of said condenser,

10. In an ignition system, the combination of a primary circuit, comprising a source of current, interrupter mechanism, timer means for timing the make and break of said circuit, a primary induction winding and a condenser connected to said primary circuit, the capacity of said condenser being variable and controlled by said timer means; and a secondary circuit comprising a distributor.

11. In an ignition system, the combination of a primary circuit, including means for making and breaking said circuit, means for timing the make and break of said circuit, a condenser connected to said primary circuit, and means for simultaneousl varying the capacity of said condenser an for actuating said timing means.

12. In an ignition system, the combination of a primary ignition circuit; interrupter mechanism in said circuit for making and breaking the same; timer means for timing the make and break of said circuit; and means for connecting to said circuit one or more sections of a variable condenser, said means being controlled by said timer means.

13. In an ignition system, the combination of an ignition circuit; means for making and breaking said circuit; timer means for timing the make and break of said circuit; and a condenser of variable capacity connected in said circuit, and operatively related to said timer means.

14. In an ignition system for an internal combustion engine, the combination of an ignition circuit, an engine driven interrupter for said ignition circuit, a variable condenser connected to said ignition circuit and means for simultaneously varying the timing of said interrupter and varying the ca acity of said condenser.

15.. n an ignition system for an internal combustion en be having an engine driven interrupter an a condenser connected thereto a single actuated member for simultaneously var ing the relative time of o ration of sai interrupter and varying t e capacity of the condenser.

16. In an ignition system for an internal combustion engine including an induction coil, a condens'ance in circuit therewith and a circuit interrupter therefor operated by said engine, the combination of means for advancing the time of occurrence of the ignition spark in said engine and automatic means for reducing the value of the condensance as the spark is advanced.

17. In an ignition system, the combination of an ignition circuit, engine actuated circuit controlling means for makin and breaking said circuit, a variable con enser intercalated in said circuit, and means for advancin or retardin the breaking of said circuit re ative to a xed point in the engine cycle and concomitantly varying the capacity of said condenser.

18. In an ignition system, the combination of an ignition circuit, engine actuated circuit controlling means for makin and breaking said circuit, a variable con enser intercalated in said circuit, and means for advancing or retardin the breaking of said circuit relative to a xed point in the engine cycle and concomitantly reducing the condenser capacity when the breaking of said circuit is advanced, and increasing the condenser capacity when the breaking of said circuit is retarded.

19. In an ignition system, the combination of an ignition circuit; means for making and breaking said circuit; means for a vancing and retarding the make and break of said circuit; a condenser; and means for connecting all of said condenser to said circuit, when the make and break of said circuit is retarded, and for connecting a part only of said condenser to said circuit, when the make and break is advanced.

2'2 In an ignition system, the combination of an ignition circuit; means for makingand breaking said circuit; means for advancin and retarding the make and break of sai circuit; a condenser comprising a plurality of units; and means for connecting one or more of said units to said circuit, said means being controlled by the means for advancing or retarding the make and break of the circuit.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

HARRY R. PATTERSON. 

